Butch James cited for his dangerous high tackle in Lions vs. Sharks match – Rugby news
South Africa, New Zealand, Australia Rugby (SANZAR) citing commission has cited the Lions fly half, Butch James, for his dangerous tackle in the their last game against the Sharks. James was cited for his dangerous tackle in the Lions and Sharks encounter
at Coca Cola (Ellis) Park, Johannesburg on Saturday June 11, 2011.
Both teams were playing in the round seventeen match of the 2011 Super Rugby competition. Sharks made an impressive second-half comeback to draw the game. However, Lions have badly dented the Sharks hopes of reaching the play-offs of the super xv. Sharks,
with two points from the draw, find themselves in a must win situation against the Bulls in their last match of the season on Saturday June 18, 2011.
The incident occurred in the 59th minute of Saturday’s game in which the Lions fly half Butch James performed a dangerous high tackle on the Sharks flanker Keegan Daniel. The on-field match referee, Marius Jonker, showed James the yellow card
for the offence.
Sharks trailed by 14 points and capitalised on the opportunity and reduced the lead by just seven points before James took the field in the 69th minute of the game.
The SANZAR citing commissioner has cited the Lions fly half Butch James in violation of the International Rugby Board (IRB) law 10. 4 (e) that relates to the dangerous tackling of the opponent including a tackle or attempted tackle above the line of the
shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.
International Rugby Board (IRB) recommended sanctions for offences under Law 10.4 (e) carries the following kinds of penalties: Low End: 2 - 3 weeks, Mid Range: 5-6 weeks; and Top End: 9 to 10 weeks and the maximum sanction
of 52 weeks.
The SANZAR citing commissioner has instructed the Butch James appear before the Judicial hearing chaired by the SANZAR Judicial Officer Rob Stelzner on Monday, June 13, at Johannesburg.
The Johannesburg born James has made a comeback to the South African Rugby Union (SARU) at the end of the 2010/11 Aviva Premiership. James was the part of the Springboks team that lifted the 2007 Rugby World Cup. At the end of the successful campaign, James
signed a contract with the English professional rugby union club Bath.
The 32-year-old James has played 58 games for Bath in both domestic and European competitions and scored a massive 327 points. In February 2011, he announced that he would return to the Sharks at the end of the 2010/11 Aviva Premiership season.
James’ name has been included in the 37-man squad announced by SARU for their second national training camp being held during the weekend.
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